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Earlier this morning, Etela Rajender, the Finance Minister of Telangana, presented the Telangana State budget 2016 in the assembly. The expenditure for the financial year 2016-2017 was proposed to be Rs. 1,30,415 crore. Rs. 67,630 crore is the budget for planned expenditure and Rs. 62,785 crore is set for any unplanned expenditure.

The budget was presented with an estimated revenue surplus of Rs. 3,381 crore. The fiscal deficit was projected at Rs. 23,467 crore.

The state budget primarily focuses on irrigation; Rs. 25,000 crore from the budget has been set aside for the major irrigation projects such as Kaleswaram barrage at Rajapet, barrage between Chankha and Kovata, arrage at Penpahad, barrage at Tammadihatti on Pranahita, and barrage at Medigadda which are the projects that Telangana and Maharashtra have mutually agreed to work together on. While Maharashtra is planning the projects at Rajapet and Penpahad, Telangana will be taking on the remaining three.

The Finance minister termed the budget as a step towards fulfilling the dream of “Bangaru Telangana” or Golden Telangana. He believes that the budget is in tune with the aspirations of the people. Rajender stated that Telangana was always neglected by the governments in undivided Andhra Pradesh since the region was not allocated even Rs. 10,000 crore for its development in any budget.

The state will be giving priority to Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya, and the double bedroom housing scheme.
Highlights from the proposed State Budget:

• Rs.40,000 crore for Mission Bhagiratha.
• Rs. 13,412 crore for Social Welfare.
• Rs.25,000 crore for Irrigation schemes.
• Rs.5,967 crore for health sector.
• A total of Rs. 13,412 crore have been allotted for welfare sector.
• Rs. 6,759 crore for Agriculture, market and Cooperative departments.
• Rs.1,553 crore for women and child welfare.
• Rs. 4,815 crore for Urban development.
• Loans from HUDCO and other financial organizations for Double Bed room houses.
• Rs.4,659 crore for Asara pensions.
• Rs.100 crore for Brahmin welfare.
• Rs.967 crore for industries.
• Rs.1,152 crore for Seetha Rama Lift Irrigation.
• Rs. 5, 967 crore for Health sector.
• Rs.738 crore for Kalyana Lakshmi scheme.
• Rs.3,333 crore for Roads and Buildings.
• Rs.1,204 crore for minority welfare.
• Rs.7,122 crore for SC Welfare.
• Rs.3,752 crore for ST Welfare.
• Rs.2,538 crore for BC Welfare.
• Rs,10,731 crore for Panchayat Raj and Rural development.
• Rs.4,675 crore for special development.
• Rs.223 crore for Fire department.
• Rs.254 crore for IT development
• Rs.50 crore for tourism.
• Rs.1,164 crore for planned expenditure in education and non-planned expenditure is Rs.9,044 crore.
• The State government targets to generate 23,912 mw power in the coming three years.
• 9 hours power supply to Kharif.
• 40 dialysis centres will come up across the State.
• Horticulture Development Corporation for fruits and vegetables.
• Modernization of hospitals and encouragement for fisheries.
• One lakh double bed room flats in GHMC limits during 2016-17.
• 70 English Ashram schools will be set up exclusively for minorities.
• BC Study circles will be established in Warangal, Khammam and Adilabad.
• The Centre has released only Rs.450 crores to the State. Without imposing burden on the people, the budget has been designed said FM.
• Total reorganization of hospitals right from PHCs to NIMS. The government will take up steps that the government hospitals to work at par with private hospitals. 40 diagnostic centres would be established in the State. Four multi-specialty hospitals are planned to be started in Hyderabad.